DO: Spend a little time on Bourbon Street at night -- but then get away from it and spend time in areas where the culture and cuisine are more satisfying.

DO: Spend a little time on Bourbon Street at night -- but then get away from it and spend time in areas where the culture and cuisine are more satisfying.

DO: Spend a little time on Bourbon Street at night -- but then get... Photo-4102634.55874 - SFGate

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DO: Learn a little about the architecture. The French Quarter and Garden District are made for walking and knowing a little about the buildings makes it more interesting. (Example: Most of the iconic French Quarter design is actually Spanish.) less

DO: Learn a little about the architecture. The French Quarter and Garden District are made for walking and knowing a little about the buildings makes it more interesting. (Example: Most of the iconic French ... more

Photo: Spud Hilton, SFC

DO: Learn a little about the architecture. The French Quarter and... Photo-4102635.55874 - SFGate

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DO: Stay a few days beyond the Super Bowl to catch some of Parade Season (the weeks of neighborhood parades leading up to Mardi Gras), then get out before Fat Tuesday. Too many people.

DO: Stay a few days beyond the Super Bowl to catch some of Parade Season (the weeks of neighborhood parades leading up to Mardi Gras), then get out before Fat Tuesday. Too many people.

DO: Stay a few days beyond the Super Bowl to catch some of Parade... Photo-4102636.55874 - SFGate

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DO: Eat the iconic Louisiana staples -- an oyster or shrimp po' boy (Johnny's Po' Boys on St. Louis Street), a Muffaletta sandwich (Central Grocery on Dumaine Street) and crawfish etouffee from, well, any place that looks like somebody's Mama is in the kitchen. less

DONT: Just eat the Louisiana staples. Have some meals at places doing creative and fun things with local ingredients, including Sylvain gastropub on Chartres Street. (Pictured: Lobster tacos from Gordon Biersch Brewery on Poydras Street.) less

DONT: Just eat the Louisiana staples. Have some meals at places doing creative and fun things with local ingredients, including Sylvain gastropub on Chartres Street. (Pictured: Lobster tacos from Gordon Biersch ... more

DONT: Just eat the Louisiana staples. Have some meals at places... Photo-4102638.55874 - SFGate

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DON'T: Just pick a big chain hotel. Support the local economy and get a vacation rental off of VRBO.com or AirBnB.com. No mint on the pillow, but you'll feel more like a local. (Pictured apartment in the French Quarter is available through HistoricRentals.com.) less

DON'T: Just pick a big chain hotel. Support the local economy and get a vacation rental off of VRBO.com or AirBnB.com. No mint on the pillow, but you'll feel more like a local. (Pictured apartment in the French ... more

Photo: Spud Hilton, The Chronicle

DON'T: Just pick a big chain hotel. Support the local economy... Photo-4102639.55874 - SFGate

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DO: Go out to Metairie Cemetery. It's younger than the ancient St. Louis and Lafayette cemeteries in the French Quarter and Garden District, but it is host to scores of grandiose and bizarre crypts and monuments from an era when society families were trying to outdo each other in death. less

DO: Go out to Metairie Cemetery. It's younger than the ancient St. Louis and Lafayette cemeteries in the French Quarter and Garden District, but it is host to scores of grandiose and bizarre crypts and ... more

DO: Go out to Metairie Cemetery. It's younger than the ancient St. Louis and Lafayette cemeteries in the French Quarter and Garden District, but it is host to scores of grandiose and bizarre crypts and monuments from an era when society families were trying to outdo each other in death. less

DO: Go out to Metairie Cemetery. It's younger than the ancient St. Louis and Lafayette cemeteries in the French Quarter and Garden District, but it is host to scores of grandiose and bizarre crypts and ... more

DO: Take a break. If you plan to party during the day and into the night, take a couple of hours to take a nap, shower and eat. No place is fun at night if you're dog tired already. (Tip provided by the nice folks at Pat O'Brien's bar.) less

DO: Take a break. If you plan to party during the day and into the night, take a couple of hours to take a nap, shower and eat. No place is fun at night if you're dog tired already. (Tip provided by the nice ... more

DO: Take a break. If you plan to party during the day and into the... Photo-4102642.55874 - SFGate

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DO: Get away from the crowds for a while. Bayou St. John is a defunct canal that runs through the middle of suburban New Orleans and next to City Park. Peaceful and fun. (Rent kayaks through BayouKayaks.com.)

DO: Get away from the crowds for a while. Bayou St. John is a defunct canal that runs through the middle of suburban New Orleans and next to City Park. Peaceful and fun. (Rent kayaks through BayouKayaks.com.)

DO: Get away from the crowds for a while. Bayou St. John is a... Photo-4102643.55874 - SFGate

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DO: Tip street performers. If you stick around and enjoy the show, it's only fair to tip. And don't even think about posting photos or video of performers online without tipping.

DO: Tip street performers. If you stick around and enjoy the show, it's only fair to tip. And don't even think about posting photos or video of performers online without tipping.

DO: Tip street performers. If you stick around and enjoy the show,... Photo-4102644.55874 - SFGate

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DO: Spent some time on Frenchmen Street, the main boulevard through the Faubourg Marigny, an artsy, gritty neighborhood next to the French Quarter that is still authentic New Orleans. Great clubs, shops and cafes. less

DO: Spent some time on Frenchmen Street, the main boulevard through the Faubourg Marigny, an artsy, gritty neighborhood next to the French Quarter that is still authentic New Orleans. Great clubs, shops and ... more

Photo: Spud Hilton, The Chronicle

DO: Spent some time on Frenchmen Street, the main boulevard through... Photo-4102645.55874 - SFGate

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Taboola Gallery Frame Item-85307.55874 - SFGate

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DO: Take the St. Charles streetcar (seemingly forever) out to the Carrollton neighborhood, home to locally owned shops and cafes, as well as the famous Maple Leaf bar (pictured) and Jacques Imo's restaurant, which has some of the best creole cooking in town. less

DO: Take the St. Charles streetcar (seemingly forever) out to the Carrollton neighborhood, home to locally owned shops and cafes, as well as the famous Maple Leaf bar (pictured) and Jacques Imo's restaurant, ... more

Photo: Spud Hilton, The Chronicle

DO: Take the St. Charles streetcar (seemingly forever) out to the... Photo-4102646.55874 - SFGate

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DO: Take the St. Charles streetcar (seemingly forever) out to the Carrollton neighborhood, home to locally owned shops and cafes, as well as the famous Maple Leaf bar and Jacques Imo's restaurant (pictured), which has some of the best creole cooking in town. less

DO: Take the St. Charles streetcar (seemingly forever) out to the Carrollton neighborhood, home to locally owned shops and cafes, as well as the famous Maple Leaf bar and Jacques Imo's restaurant (pictured), ... more

Photo: Spud Hilton, The Chronicle

DO: Take the St. Charles streetcar (seemingly forever) out to the... Photo-4102647.55874 - SFGate

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DO: Eat some grits. A little salt, lots of butter and maybe some Crystal hot sauce. It's part of the culture, so just do it. (Pictured: Breakfast at Mother's Restaurant on Poydras Street.)

DO: Eat some grits. A little salt, lots of butter and maybe some Crystal hot sauce. It's part of the culture, so just do it. (Pictured: Breakfast at Mother's Restaurant on Poydras Street.)